Trade practices, advertising and consumer protection

Placing products and services on the market is subject to ever-increasing regulatory constraints due to factors such as harmonisation by EU authorities, ranging from the characteristics of products and services to liability, advertising rules, e-commerce, trade practices on the internet and social media (influencers) and the use of personal data.

Trade practices, advertising and consumer protection Simont Braun Belgian business law firm

Assistance and guidance on trade practices and consumer protection

Our lawyers navigate through layers of national and international regulations while maintaining focus on the market realities and your commercial needs. They regularly advise professional bodies, communication agencies and all kinds of Belgian and foreign businesses in the most varied of sectors (e.g. cosmetics, food and banking services) on their advertising and trade practices issues. We guide and assist clients in consumer protection matters in the broadest sense. Our practice covers Belgian and EU competition law aspects and in particular vertical and horizontal restraints.

Our expertise includes litigation in the aforementioned areas, including discussions and negotiations with the administrative bodies in charge of implementing applicable rules.

 

Substantial experience 

We have assisted a wide variety of clients in matters such as :

  • Advertising and sales promotion, including comparative advertising and consumer protection rules;
  • Unfair competition, including parasitism and infringement of trade secrets;
  • Compliance with local and international trade practices and customs;
  • e-Commerce;
  • Consumer credit;
  • Labelling (food, cosmetics, etc.);
  • Organisation of lotteries, promotional games and competitions;
  • Online and offline contracts, general terms and conditions;
  • Data protection legislation and regulations (see Data Protection & Privacy);
  • Loyalty and other interactive programmes.
  • Vertical and horizontal restraints

 

Experts in licensing and distribution

Our IP lawyers in charge of these matters are also experts in licensing and distribution, as these aspects regularly interfere. This enables us to handle both your sharpest questions and multi-disciplinary projects.

Lawyers

Joris Beckers
Joris
Beckers
Partner
Emmanuel Cornu
Emmanuel
Cornu
Partner
Eric De Gryse
Eric
De Gryse
Partner
Fernand de Visscher
Fernand
de Visscher
Partner
Paul-Alain Foriers
Paul Alain
Foriers
Partner
Rafaël Jafferali
Rafaël
Jafferali
Partner
Béatrice Thieffry
Béatrice
Thieffry
Partner
Charles-Edouard Lambert
Charles-Edouard
Lambert
Counsel
Fanny Laune
Fanny
Laune
Counsel
Pierre Bazier
Pierre
Bazier
Associate
Sander Van Loock
Sander
Van Loock
Associate